Kate’s 2¢:” The butcher bird a Somershill Manor Mystery” by S. D. Sykes

 ” The butcher bird a Somershill Manor Mystery” by S. D. Sykes

Kate’s 2¢: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as,     describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares my thoughts about what I read.  I’m just saying…

A few take-aways from this story:

–The Red-backed Shreik once a common migrater to the British shores. This bird butcher’s rodents, insects, and the nestlings of other small birds, then, impales their corpses on thorn as a larder, which has earned this bird the name “the butcher bird”.

–How easy reason is destroyed by fear.

–Any revelations about Oscar’s  true beginnings would bring great shame and notoriety upon the family.

—  Oscar found that the grave of the infant Thomas Stargrove was empty.

   This varied cast of characters sends us on a merry chase of liars, intrigue, and manipulated children.

   It shines a light on the inner workings of the feudal system of ruling the working people.

   I enjoyed this story, but couldn’t wonder why Oscar didn’t associate the baby’s breath with the real cause sooner than he did.

   George Holmes did a good job of narrating this British novel.

From the web:

S.D.Sykes (born 1966) is a British historical crime writer who writes the Somershill Manor Mystery Series, consisting of her debut novel Plague Land (2014), The Butcher Bird (2015), and City of Masks (2017).

In 2012, Sykes attended a Curtis Brown Creative writing course, where her debut novel, Plague Land, attracted interested from several agents. A Three book deal was finalized with publisher Hodder & Stoughton.

S.D. Sykes graduated from Manchester University, before going on to complete an MA in writing at Sheffield Hallam University.

She now lives in Kent.

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

The butcher bird: a Somershill Manor Mystery DB107498

Sykes, S. D. Reading time: 13 hours, 21 minutes.

Read by George Holmes.

Suspense Fiction

Historical Fiction

Mystery and Detective Stories

Oswald de Lacy is settling into his new position as Lord of Somershill Manor. But he faces the anger of his field workers, who want to be paid more–a move the king has forbidden. As anger spreads, people claim to have seen the legendary butcher bird. Then children begin to disappear. Some violence and some strong language. 2015.

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